Rock Formations & The Principles of Relative Dating

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Rock bodies- the key to past environments or events (Uniformitarianism)

• Volcanic activity
• Intrusive rocks
• Metamorphic rocks
• Sedimentary Rocks- the most detailed account of surface environments
• Concept of Rock Formations, members, and groups
• Depositional environments

Local Rock Sequences (the Principles of Relative Dating)

• Superposition
• Lateral Continuity
• Original Horizontality
• Some simple exercises
• Unconformities
  • Introduction to angular unconformity
  • Introduction to nonconformity
  • Introduction to disconformity
• Cross-cutting relationships (intrusions/baked contacts & faults)
• Inclusions
• Some more simple exercises

Regional Rock Correlations

• Fossils- definition & environmental indicators
• Principle of Floral & Faunal Succession
• Development of Geologic Time Scale
• Disconformities revisited
• Some more advanced exercises

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